Artist: Satyricon
Label: eat UR music
Release Date: 4/6/04
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Title: Volcano Artist: Satyricon Label: eat UR music Release Date: 4/6/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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4 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
I believe this one's been out on the other side of the pond for some time now, so that leaves just us ignorant Yanks that have yet to listen to Satyricon's latest (Oh, and I guess Canada too - but as Homer Simpson pointed out, they're just America, Jr.). I believe my last experience with this band was 1999's Rebel Extravaganza, which was a festive title in its own right, and now we have Volcano, solidifying their track record for homosexual imagery. Newsflash: If you don't want to sound like a homosexual avoid the word 'extravaganza,' and symbols like missiles, bratwurst, and volcanoes. Just a tip from your Uncle Abyss. Oh, and I suggest you never use the word 'scandalous' in less you are, in fact, describing an actual scandal (just some advice for the future).Anyhoo, Satyricon's new record is as schizophrenic as their last, combining some old school black metal that would seem more apropos for 1993 with a thoroughly modern take on the sound. The album starts off with an almost upbeat, new-Hypocrisy type vibe and slowly but surely degenerates into a more dismal black metal tone that owes a lot to both the doom and NWOBHM movements. The album almost lost me from the beginning, as the songs are understated and don't reach out and grab you. In fact, I found myself a little bit bored after the first spin.
"One word review: Effective." The album did begin to grow on me, especially when I started focusing my attention on the later songs. The album definitely finishes stronger than it starts, and I find its strongest songs to be those that hearken back to a more pure form of black metal. It is definitely a little refreshing to hear something so nostalgic, but it can also be seen as a detriment because, let's face it, music has moved on since then (for most of us, anyway). However, compositionally the album remains strong. Satyricon, being one of the earlier Norwegian black metal bands, are effective in exemplifying the points that made the early 90s movement so effective. They produce a much more organic and suffocating sound with analog-sounding guitars, primal screams, and moderate keyboards. They simply don't over-do every aspect to the black metal sound like most bands now in the genre are guilty of. The band does utilize female vocals on a few songs, but they are quite successful. Anja Garbarer has a haunting aspect to her voice that portrays evil and sorrow quite effectively, not unlike a psychotic Portishead.
This album isn't for everyone. The average In Flames fan will listen to this and be bored stiff. However, this album will have a significant impact on many who can appreciate their take on all the different aspects of metal. Despite their incorporation of other sounds, Satyricon remain a black metal band through and through. One word review: Effective.
Death's Review:
"The music is catchy and direct, yet is still brutal, underground and extreme." The U.S. is about to finally experience the release of the new Satyricon album, catching up with the rest of the world on this excellent "rock-oriented black metal" album. Satyricon may have lost a touch of momentum by waiting so long to come out with a new album here, but in many ways their timing could not be better, with metal on the rise in the U.S. and there now being outlets for a visual band such as this to demonstrate what they can do via touring, video and the like. They certainly have a strong record to back things up. A great production, cool riffs, and interesting songs all coalesce on Volcano, a record that is still totally metal even though it is quite listenable and accessible for your average mainstream metalhead. This album should propel Satyricon into the upper echelon of the new wave of metallic elite, and touring with Morbid Angel should only help the cause. The music is catchy and direct, yet is still brutal, underground and extreme. It's just that rather than the early days of "black metal" noise and raw extremity, this is music to bang your head to. No filler euphemized as "atmosphere" or "ambiance" either - just good, solid metal, thus setting Satyricon apart even from successful mainstream black metal bands like Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir. Satyricon is black metal for thrash/speed/traditional metal fans, and/or thrash/speed/traditional metal for black metal fans. And the band's musical progression and accessibility does not dilute the power of the music one bit - in fact, in many ways, this is Satyricon's most powerful record because the production is so well done that every note lands with immediate impact. Too bad we Americans had to wait so long for Volcano's release.
Hel's Review:
“On my signal, unleash hell.” Generally, I don’t like sound clips kicking off albums, but I have to admit that if you’re going to use one, that’s a damn cool one to use. And fairly appropriate as well, considering Satyricon has unleashed their particular brand of hell on us once again.
"I can tell you this for certain: I’ve enjoyed my time with it." I’m not a huge fan of black metal overall, but Satyricon is the kind of black metal band I like best, with little of the grandiose posturing that so many bands of the genre have taken up. No haunted-house keyboards or shrill, wailing female vocals. There are some female vocals, but, thankfully, they are few and neither shrill nor wailing.
Again we find a range of tempos and moods dominating the songwriting. Some of the songs are even downright catchy, such as “Fuel for Hatred.” The musicianship is solid and the performances are recorded on plastic with clarity. All in all, I once again find myself enjoying the new Satyricon record.
Those of you who have eagerly been awaiting this album’s release here in the U.S. will no doubt be pleased. I believe that it deserved the accolades it received in their native land, and suspect that long time fans will enjoy this record. I can tell you this for certain: I’ve enjoyed my time with it.
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